Botox Takes A Shot At Pain

No longer just a wrinkle fighter, Botox® may have indications as a pain medication to fight Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), reports a new study presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23-27, in Seattle.

Between 5 and 26 people out of every 100,000 have their lives significantly disrupted by some form of chronic pain. Traditionally, treatments for the nervous system-based pain disorder have included massage, physiotherapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and heat/cold therapy. Despite those, many patients often continue to experience disruptive pain.

The study found injecting Botox into the area affected by pain provides significant pain control. Eight patients suffering from severe pain received an average of nine injections — one every four weeks. All of patients reported a significant improvement (31.25 percent) in their daily pain control that was maintained for up to 17 months.

More than 5 million Botox injections were performed in 2008, according to ASPS stats. Botox injections are up 8 percent since 2007 and 537 percent since 2000.

Science Daily, Nov. 9, 2009